Two thirds of people (67 per cent) are unhappy with their bathrooms, according to a new survey by MyBuilder.com.

The people of Britain have opened the door on the disgusting state of their bathrooms, revealing their biggest pet hates, embarrassing confessions - and even admitting to dumping their partners over their grimy en suites.

Nearly half of all people surveyed (45 per cent) said it was the room in their home they most wanted to renovate, while 41 per cent admitted to being embarrassed by their bathroom when friends came to visit.

More than a third of people (38 per cent) admitted to holding it in while visiting a friend’s house because their bathroom was too disgusting to use. A quarter of people (25 per cent) said they had fallen out with housemates or partners over the state of their bathroom, while six per cent confessed they had actually dumped their partner over the issue.

The biggest turnoffs people had about bathrooms was low water pressure in the shower and wonky toilet seats, with 56 per cent of people listing them as major gripes. Toilets that don’t flush properly (47 per cent), carpet in the bathroom (44 per cent), and no lock on the bathroom door (35 per cent) were also listed as big pet hates.

However, many people confessed that their own bathrooms are guilty of the same bugbears. Nearly a third of people (31 per cent) admitted to having a wonky toilet seat, while no lock on the door (23 per cent), separate hot and cold taps (21 per cent), a badly placed or missing loo roll holder (19 per cent) and low water pressure (18 per cent) also featured heavily.

So, what can you do about it? Creating a bathroom which is both fabulous and functional is easy if you give a little thought to making the best of your space.

Homebase has a whole load of tips for you whether you’re looking for a luxurious bathroom to relax in or a super convenient shower room.

How much space do you have?

Use graph paper to draw a plan of your existing bathroom. Put in doors, windows and radiators and then mark the existing plumbing and electrics, include the layout of water pipes, sewage outlets, ventilation ducts and light switches.

The space available will provide you with different options – understand for example whether moving a wall or a radiator is feasible for you and suits your budget. Consider the positioning of key bathroom features which may require moving pipes, such as your toilet. Think about the position of the door, the way it opens, the positioning of your cabinet, the basin, bath or shower and importantly the pipe-work. The layout of the room is critical to the final look of your bathroom, and also the practicality. Ensure enough space is left around your toilet, sink and bath for easy movement.

If you can't fit in all the units you want or if the room looks cramped, see if you can rearrange the fixtures or relocate them. It's cheaper and easier to use the existing plumbing, but it's fairly straightforward to rearrange pipes if they're staying within the same area.

You may want to think about extending your bathroom, or adding an en suite to an adjoining bedroom. This will mean a bit more work and increase your budget, but a well-designed bathroom often adds to the value of your home.

What storage needs do you have?

Think how many people use the bathroom so you can work out how much storage you'll need for their toiletries and towels (and those cleaning products!)

Finishing touches & accessories

Your bathroom is your relaxation space, so why not make it feel as if it’s your very own mini-spa by refreshing your towels and bath mats to give your bathroom maximum comfort. Work with the existing style of your home to find a style that fits for you.

Updating all elements of your bathroom can really give it a new lease of life. Update your mirror to go with your new bathroom style, or add one that has fitted lights to enhance the atmosphere. Fitting your bath with a new shower curtain or bath screen will not only help practically but also bring your style into full swing.

Lighting

Don’t forget to update your bathroom lighting, it can really set the mood for those indulgent moments in the bath where you can allow yourself to drift away.

From light and bright in the morning, to softly lit and relaxing in the evening. It's easy to build atmosphere by using different types of lighting.

Flooring and walls

Beautiful floor and wall finishes will set your bathroom off a treat - look for the ones specially designed for when there's water about. These tips will help you choose:

Flooring needs to be safe, slip-resistant, hygienic and easy to clean. These tick all the boxes: natural stone, ceramic tiles, lino and specially treated wood and laminate.

Paint

Choose a paint specially formulated for bathrooms, and only use in areas not exposed to water splashes. The paint is moisture-resistant and easy to clean, but nothing protects your walls quite as well as tiling.

Tips

It's a wise idea to hire a qualified plumber or bathroom installer to fit your bathroom if you’re planning a big job and changing the layout.

If you're putting in an electric shower, you'll also need a qualified electrician.